Crisis Comms With Compassion: Weather, Injuries, and Cancellations at Folk Festivals

Preparing for the Unexpected: Plan Ahead and Centralize Communication

Every festival – from a cozy local folk gathering to a massive international music fiesta – needs a crisis communication plan. Seasoned festival organizers know that the middle of an emergency is the worst time to figure out what to say. Instead, prepare scripts in advance for likely scenarios such as severe weather alerts, medical emergencies, or sudden cancellations. These pre-drafted messages (which can be tweaked to fit the exact situation) ensure you won’t be caught speechless or scramble for wording when time is critical.

Key planning steps include:

• Draft Various Emergency Announcements: Write templated messages for different situations – e.g., lightning storm delays, extreme heat advisories, a performer cancellation, a lost child alert, or an evacuation order. Keep the tone calm, compassionate, and clear. For example, a weather delay script might read: “Attention: Due to a severe weather warning, we are pausing all performances for everyone’s safety. Please calmly head to the shelter areas indicated by staff. We understand this is disappointing, but your safety is our top priority. Thank you for your patience – we will provide updates every 15 minutes.”

• Establish a Single “Updates Desk”: Designate one team or communication desk as the sole source of official updates. This could be your festival communications team or a command center that coordinates all announcements. All information should funnel through this hub to avoid mixed messages. In practice, this means staff, volunteers, and even artists are instructed to refer to the official announcements rather than make up answers. By centralizing info, you ensure consistency and reduce rumors. At a small folk festival, the “updates desk” might even be literally a tent or info booth where new info is posted on a board for attendees without smartphones. At large events, it’s a virtual desk controlling app notifications, social media, and press releases. In either case, everyone on the festival team should know: “If in doubt, check with the updates desk before communicating.”

• Coordinate with Local Authorities & Experts: Part of your advance planning is linking up with local emergency services, weather experts, and safety officials. Know who will make decisions like stopping a show for lightning or what the evacuation routes are. Incorporate their guidance into your scripts (for example, if the fire marshal or police have specific instructions, have those ready to convey). This collaboration ensures that when a crisis hits, your communications are authoritative and align with safety protocols.

• Train Your Team: A plan on paper isn’t enough. Go over these crisis scripts and procedures in pre-festival briefings. Conduct a quick drill or at least a tabletop walk-through: e.g., “What do we do if a flash flood hits the site?” Ensure stage managers, MCs, social media managers, and security staff all know their roles. This preparation builds confidence so that in the heat of the moment, everyone stays calm and follows the communication game plan. As a festival producer, empower your MCs and staff to carry out emergency messaging in a composed, compassionate manner.

By planning ahead, you set the stage for effective crisis comms. It’s like an insurance policy: you hope you won’t need it, but you’ll be grateful to have it when a storm is brewing (sometimes literally).

Using All Channels in Sync: App, Screens, Socials and MCs

When a crisis strikes at a festival, speed and reach of communication are vital. You have to get the word out to everyone on site (and often ticket holders who haven’t arrived yet) as quickly as possible. That means using every communication channel at your disposal in a coordinated way. A multi-pronged approach ensures no one misses the message.

Key channels to leverage together:

• Festival Mobile App & Text Alerts: If your festival has a mobile app, it’s one of the fastest ways to ping attendees directly. Push notifications can instantly buzz everyone’s phone with an alert. Many event ticketing platforms (like Ticket Fairy) also allow you to send SMS texts or emails to all ticket holders on short notice – incredibly useful for urgent updates. For example, California’s Strawberry Music Festival sends SMS rain delay alerts to its attendees, ensuring even those away from stages get the news. Make sure your messages include the essentials (what happened, what to do, and where to get more info) since not everyone will catch follow-up posts.

• Large Screens, PA Systems, and Signage: Use your stage video screens or LED boards to display emergency messages in real time. Flash big, bold notices like “?? Weather Delay: Please Move to Shelter Areas Now – See Festival App for Updates ??”. Simultaneously, have the stage PA systems and any site-wide public address make announcements. Master of Ceremonies (MCs) or stage hosts should be ready to calmly deliver the prepared script over the microphone at every stage. Many festivals, like the Cambridge Folk Festival (UK), include PA announcements as part of their crisis plan so that even if cell networks jam up, the crowd can hear what’s happening. For smaller folk festivals without giant screens, handheld megaphones or local radio announcements can do wonders – the key is to reach people wherever they are.

• Social Media & Website Live Updates: Don’t forget online channels – they often are the first place off-site people (like concerned family, or media) will look for news. Quickly post the same emergency message to your official Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, and website news page. Pin the post so it’s easily visible. Consistency is crucial: it should mirror what you announce on-site. Also, actively monitor replies and comments – you’ll likely see questions flooding in. Assign team members to respond with helpful, calm answers. Even a quick “We hear you – working on an update, thanks for patience” can make attendees feel less in the dark. Social media is also where misinformation can spread, so by being present and responsive, you own the narrative. As communications experts often say: tell your story before someone else tells it inaccurately for you.

• On-Site Info Desks & Staff Ambassadors: Augment digital comms with the human touch. Train info booth staff or roving ambassadors to relay the latest updates face-to-face, especially for attendees who may not be glued to their phones. Equip them with handheld radios or a feed from the “updates desk” so they have the current facts. For example, at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia, volunteers carry signs and walk through the crowd to direct people to shelter during sudden tropical downpours, helping spread the word beyond the stage announcements. Human confirmation of what’s happening can greatly reduce confusion.

By hitting all these channels at roughly the same time, you create a blanket of information. Someone lounging at their campsite might see the app alert; folks by the stage see the screen and hear the MC; those en route get a text; and anyone checking socials finds the same story. This unified approach prevents dangerous knowledge gaps where some people have no idea what’s unfolding.

Tip: Prepare a simple checklist for your comms team – e.g., “In emergency: 1) push app alert, 2) post Twitter/FB, 3) update website banner, 4) radio to MCs to announce, 5) display on screens.” In the chaos of a crisis, such a checklist is a safety net to ensure no channel is forgotten.

Clear, Compassionate Messaging: Explain What’s Happening and Next Steps

In any festival crisis – whether it’s a surprise thunderstorm, an injury in the crowd, or a last-minute headline act cancellation – the tone and clarity of your messaging will determine whether your audience stays calm and cooperative, or grows confused and upset. Communicate with compassion and plain language. This means being transparent about what’s going on, why decisions are being made, and what happens next, all while showing empathy for how it affects everyone.

Here’s how to craft and deliver messages with clarity and heart:

• Lead with the Important Facts: Don’t bury the lede. Up front, say what the situation is and what action is needed. For example, “We have an important announcement: lightning has been detected nearby, and we must temporarily halt the festival performances for safety.” The audience shouldn’t have to guess or wait through a long preamble – tell them directly.

• Explain the Decision (Briefly): Right after stating what’s happening, give a one-sentence reason that people can grasp. “Because your safety is our priority, we are clearing the main field until the storm passes.” Or if an artist is cancelling: “Due to a sudden illness, the next performer is unable to take the stage.” People are more likely to accept an inconvenience if they understand the rationale. Be honest – if it’s weather, describe it; if it’s technical failure, say so (in simple terms); if it’s something like “the city fire marshal has ordered us to pause until an issue is resolved,” let people know. Transparency earns trust, whereas vague excuses (“technical difficulties” with no further info) breed frustration and rumors.

• Speak With Empathy and Respect: This is where compassion truly matters. Recognize what the audience is feeling. If you’re canceling a beloved act or the whole event, acknowledge the disappointment and frustration attendees likely feel. Use a tone that is caring and human, not cold and bureaucratic. For instance: “We know many of you were excited to see the final act, and we share in your disappointment that it can’t go ahead. We’re so sorry that we have to make this call, but we hope you understand it’s for the best given the circumstances.” A touch of humanity goes a long way. At community-driven folk festivals, attendees often have a deep emotional connection to the event – show them you understand that.

• Outline Next Steps Clearly: After explaining the situation, immediately tell people what they should do or what will happen next. If it’s a weather delay: should they seek shelter? Is there a specific evacuation route? If it’s a canceled show: Will there be a replacement act, or should people move to another stage? If the entire event is shutting down: Where can people get more information on refunds or exiting the venue safely? Providing concrete next steps reassures people that things are under control. For example: “Please stay tuned for updates at 15-minute intervals on the app and screens. As soon as the storm passes, we will let you know quickly whether we can resume or if we must shift the schedule.” Or “Our staff at all exit gates can answer your questions as you leave—please exit slowly and safely and check your email tomorrow for details on ticket options.”

• Keep it Simple and Jargon-Free: In a crisis, people might be distracted, upset, or inebriated – they won’t absorb long-winded or technical messages. Use short sentences and common words. Instead of saying “We are experiencing a meteorological event of significant severity,” just say “A severe storm is coming.” Instead of “egress the premises,” say “exit the venue.” Aim for that sweet spot where even a child or a non-native English speaker in your crowd could roughly understand what to do.

A great real-world example of compassion in crisis messaging comes from Troy Greencorn, the artistic director of the Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Canada. When faced with canceling the entire festival due to an approaching tropical storm, he told the press, “We just don’t feel it’s appropriate to place our audience at risk.” That simple, caring explanation conveyed that the decision was about protecting people, not just avoiding liability. Attendees and the community, while heartbroken by the cancellation, largely respected the choice because it was communicated so honestly.

Contrast that with a poor communication example: a few years ago, one UK festival abruptly announced a day’s cancellation with a terse social media post that only said “no festival today” – no explanation, no apology. Attendees were furious and confused. It became a textbook case of what not to do. The lesson is clear: always explain your decisions plainly, and do it with empathy. People may still be upset by bad news, but they’ll be much more understanding and cooperative if they feel respected and informed rather than left in the dark.

During a crisis, your festival’s voice should be calm, caring, and confident. Imagine you’re speaking to a friend – be the steady, reassuring voice that provides the facts but also says, “we’re in this together.”

Handling Specific Scenarios: Weather, Injuries, and Cancellations

Let’s delve into a few common crisis scenarios festival producers face, and how to handle communications in each with compassion and effectiveness:

Weather Disruptions and Emergencies

Outdoor folk festivals are especially at the mercy of Mother Nature. Sudden weather can range from thunderstorms and high winds, to extreme heat or in some regions even flash floods or wildfires smoke. Here’s how to manage weather crises:

• Monitor and Act Early: Have a weather monitoring system (radar apps or on-site meteorologist) to give you a heads-up. If severe weather is likely, don’t wait until the last second to communicate. For example, if lightning is spotted in the area, many festivals use a 30-30 rule (halt events if lightning is within 10 km, and wait 30 minutes from the last strike) – let the crowd know before that thunderclap right overhead. Early warnings like “Folks, a storm is approaching, we may need to pause soon, please be prepared to take shelter” can mentally prepare everyone.

• Pause or Evacuate Safely: If you must stop the music due to weather, do it decisively and direct people exactly where to go. At the Edmonton Folk Music Festival in Canada, organizers have predefined shelter areas on the festival grounds (like large tents and nearby buildings); when a storm hit in 2019, they swiftly announced, “Severe winds incoming, please clear the hill and head to the big top tent or return to your vehicles. We’ll resume if we can after the storm passes.” Many attendees later praised how organized and calm the evacuation felt. A clear plan, executed with clear announcements, prevents panic. People will follow instructions if they’re clear and repeated.

• Keep Spirits Up (If Possible): Weather delays can be tense, but some festivals turn it into part of the adventure. Use your MCs or social media to keep engagement: maybe encourage a rainy-day singalong while people wait safely, or share a hopeful update like “We’re watching the radar, it looks like this will pass in 20 minutes – hang tight and stay dry, everyone!” At Australia’s Woodford Folk Festival, notorious for occasional downpours, organizers famously keep a stash of ponchos and have roaming performers entertain crowds waiting out the rain. This kind of positive, caring touch shows attendees that you’re doing your best to make a bad situation more bearable.

• Worst Case – Cancellation: Sometimes the weather wins and you have to cancel a show or a full day. This is when your compassionate communication must shine. Clearly announce the cancellation as soon as the decision is made (ideally first on-site, then blast out via app and socials right away for those off-site). Apologize sincerely and tell people what to do next. For instance, “Unfortunately, due to the hurricane approaching, we have to cancel the remainder of the festival for everyone’s safety. We are so sorry to have to end this weekend early. Please make your way calmly to the exits or shelters as directed. All attendees will receive an email within 24 hours regarding ticket refund or transfer options – we will make this right. Thank you for understanding that safety comes first.” This message hits all points: what’s happening (cancel), why (safety due to storm), empathy (apology), what to do (exit safely), and what’s next (you’ll get info on compensation).

Real-world case: The Stan Rogers Folk Festival (Nova Scotia, Canada) had to cancel its entire event one year when a tropical storm was forecast to hit directly. The organizers made the hard call two days before the festival. They promptly informed ticket holders and the public that safety had to take precedence and assured everyone that full refunds would be issued. While the local community took an economic hit (and the festival itself lost money), the forthright, compassionate communication earned respect. They framed it as “we won’t risk our audience’s safety,” which is exactly the right mindset. Indeed, fans responded with an outpouring of support, vowing to return when the festival was back rather than expressing anger, because they understood the decision.

On-Site Injuries or Medical Emergencies

Festivals are like miniature cities – medical incidents will happen, from minor injuries to serious health emergencies. How you communicate during these moments is delicate: you want to keep people safe and informed without causing panic or infringing on privacy.

• Have a Protocol to Alert the Crowd if Needed: Not every injury requires a public announcement – in fact, most don’t. Your onsite medical team may handle many incidents quietly. But if there’s a situation that does affect the audience (for example, a collapse in the crowd, a stage accident, or any incident requiring the show to stop), be ready to address it. Train stage managers and artists to recognize the signals: many festivals use hand signs or red flags to alert performers to pause if something is wrong in the crowd. If music stops suddenly, an MC or the performer should quickly and calmly explain: “Folks, we have a medical situation at the front. Please give space. We’ve got medics on the way. I need everyone to stay calm – we’ll continue as soon as it’s handled.” This lets everyone know what’s going on and focuses their attention on helping, not gawking or panicking.

• Protect Privacy and Stay Positive: If someone is hurt, don’t circulate unconfirmed info (never announce names or speculate on the person’s condition over the PA — that’s for medical professionals and the patient’s family). Keep it general and positive in tone where possible: e.g. “We are taking care of an attendee who needs medical assistance. They are in good hands with our medics. Please keep the area clear.” This assures others that the situation is under control without sensationalism. After the person is cared for, a quick follow-up announcement (“Thank you for your patience folks, the attendee is on their way to get additional care and we’re hopeful for their quick recovery. Let’s give them a warm round of applause of support.”) can provide closure and a sense of community compassion before resuming normal programming.

• When an Artist is Injured or Ill: If a performer gets hurt or falls ill, forcing a set to be canceled or cut short, address it openly. The audience often invests a lot of excitement in seeing artists, so don’t just leave them guessing. For example: “We regret to announce that [Artist Name] won’t be able to continue their set due to a medical issue. They are receiving the care they need right now. Let’s all wish them a speedy recovery. In the meantime, we’ll have an extended break and hope to bring you an update soon on the schedule.” Later, you might slot in a replacement act or adjust times – make sure to communicate that as well once confirmed (e.g., “Our Stage 2 act will start a bit earlier to fill the gap,” etc.). Fans will be concerned about the artist; showing empathy for the artist’s well-being as well as fans’ disappointment is key. When folk legend Bob Dylan had to cancel a show due to illness at the last minute in one festival, the organizers immediately spread the word via all channels, expressing that “Bob is very sorry to disappoint fans, but he cannot perform tonight under doctor’s advice.” They then told ticket holders how to get refunds or see other stages. Many fans, while sad, appreciated the prompt clarity rather than finding out at showtime.

• Coordinate Info Flow with Medical Officials: If a truly serious incident occurs (for instance, a fatality or large-scale accident), your communications team should work closely with medical responders and police. Often in these cases, you may be advised to make only a basic statement on-site to manage crowd movement and then issue a more detailed official statement later. Always prioritize empathy in these statements: tragedies require an especially compassionate tone (“Our hearts go out to anyone affected,” etc.). And absolutely avoid speculation – stick to confirmed facts or say “more information will be shared as it becomes available.” In dire situations, it might be best for the festival director or a senior official to address the crowd personally (if appropriate) so attendees hear the concern and authority in their voice.

Performance Cancellations and Other Surprises

Not all crises are life-or-death – sometimes the “disaster” of the day is a beloved band’s flight got canceled, or a power outage knocks out a stage. From the audience’s perspective, though, these incidents can really sour the experience if poorly communicated. Here’s how to handle cancellations or major schedule changes:

• Be Swift and Forthcoming: The moment you know a performer is canceling (or significantly delayed), prepare to tell the audience. Delaying an announcement only fuels the rumor mill (“I heard they’re not coming… what’s going on?!”). As soon as the artist or their team gives you the final word, go public on all channels with the news and reasoning. For instance: “We have an update: The Mountain Drifters’ set at 8 PM is unfortunately canceled, as the band’s flight was grounded due to weather. We know this is a disappointment – we’re disappointed too – but we’re working on a solution.”

• Provide Alternatives or Solutions: If you can, immediately follow the bad news with a “make-good” plan. Maybe you’re able to extend another artist’s set, bring a surprise guest from those already on-site, or reschedule the act to a different day of the festival. Even if you can’t fully replace what was lost, show that you’re trying. E.g., “Our team has arranged for Local Heroes Band to jump in and keep the music going at 8 PM on the main stage. We hope you’ll support them and give them a warm welcome. The Mountain Drifters have promised to return next year, and all Sunday ticket-holders will get a 20% discount for next year’s festival as a thank-you for understanding.” This kind of gesture – a replacement show plus a discount – can turn a negative into a somewhat positive memory (“Remember when the storm knocked out the power, but then that jam session happened by flashlight? And they even gave us a discount for next time!”).

• Communicate “Why” Even for Minor Hiccups: Fans appreciate being in the loop. If the schedule is shuffling around, even for something like a delayed soundcheck, go ahead and use your channels to inform attendees: “FYI, Stage B is running ~30 minutes late due to technical issues. We’re on it – thanks for your patience!” This heads-off frustration. A little transparency (“technical issues” or “travel delay”) plus reassurance that you’re handling it keeps people calm. It’s far better than silence, which can read as disorganization or disregard.

• Mind the Tone – No Blame, No Snark: When announcing a cancellation or change, keep it respectful. Do not blame the artist or anyone publicly (even if behind the scenes you’re upset with them). Similarly, don’t joke in a way that belittles the fans’ disappointment. A light touch of humour can be okay (“Turns out even folk music legends can’t control the airlines!”) if it suits your festival’s style, but make sure it doesn’t undermine the sincerity of your apology or message. The audience should feel that you care as much as they do about making things right.

One positive example: At Tønder Festival in Denmark, when a main stage act had to pull out last-minute, the festival director personally went on stage to explain the situation calmly and thank the crowd for understanding. They quickly rearranged the schedule to feature another popular band that was available. Later, they emailed all attendees with a heartfelt note explaining the challenge they faced and offering a small credit in the festival merchandise store as a token of appreciation. The feedback from festival-goers was largely supportive – many said the honesty and effort to compensate made them more likely to attend again, because the festival showed it truly valued its audience.

The Aftermath: Follow Up and Learn From Every Crisis

Once the immediate crisis is over – the storm has passed, the injured person is in care, the show has been canceled and everyone’s gone home – your job isn’t quite done. How you follow up in the hours and days after is crucial for maintaining goodwill and improving for next time.

• Offer Make-Good Options Quickly: This is a top priority in the aftermath. If attendees lost part of the experience (a day canceled, a headline act missing, etc.), decide on and announce your compensation or “make-good” plan as fast as possible. Ideally, mention it in your initial crisis comms (“refund details to follow within 24 hours”). Then be prompt in following through. Common make-good options include:
• Partial Refunds or Full Refunds: Depending on the situation, refund the ticket cost for the portion missed. (Many festivals refunded 50% of the ticket when the final day was canceled, for example.)
• Discounts or Credits: Offer a discount code for next year’s festival or a credit to another event you run. This tells fans “please come back, we owe you one.”
• Replacement Events: If feasible, announce a make-up show or a special event for affected ticket holders. For instance, a folk festival that had to cancel its last day might arrange a free community concert a few weeks later for those attendees, or partner with local venues to honor the tickets at upcoming concerts.
• Merchandise or Upgrades: Even smaller gestures like a free T-shirt, commemorative poster, or free drink voucher next time can help mollify upset guests.

Whatever you choose, communicate it widely and clearly. Send an email to all ticket buyers with instructions on how to claim refunds or discounts (bullet-point the steps so it’s easy). Post on your website and social media about it. And frame it with empathy: “We know nothing can fully make up for the lost time, but we hope this helps show our appreciation for your support and understanding.”

• Public Thank-Yous and Accountability: After a crisis, it’s classy and reassuring to thank your audience for how they handled it. A day or two later, post a public note: “Huge thank you to all our festival-goers for your patience and spirit during Saturday’s weather evacuation. Your safety was our priority, and we appreciate you looking out for each other.” Also, if something didn’t go well, it’s okay to briefly acknowledge it and commit to do better: “We know the lines at the info tents got very long when the schedule changed – we’ll be reviewing how to improve that in the future.” Showing that you’re not brushing issues under the rug demonstrates integrity and helps retain trust.

• Internal Debrief – Document the Learnings: Once the dust has settled, gather your team (operations, security, communications, volunteers, everyone relevant) for a post-mortem meeting. Discuss openly: What went right? What could have gone better? Did our communication plan work? Did messages reach everyone or were there gaps (for example, maybe the app notification was great, but some older attendees didn’t see it – so next time, you decide to add an FM radio alert or have more audible announcements at the campsite)? Capture these insights in a report. This documentation is gold for improving your festival’s resilience. Many veteran festival organizers keep a “playbook” that gets updated after each edition – it might include newly learned best practices like “Have backup power for the Wi-Fi in case of outage, because our PA app went down” or “Lightning Protocol: increase visible signage about shelter locations based on 2023 feedback.” Over years, this playbook becomes an invaluable guide and can be shared with new team members or even with other festivals (a great way to build industry goodwill).

• Update Your Formal Plans and Training: Use the lessons learned to update those script templates and crisis plans you made earlier. If the incident revealed a scenario you hadn’t planned for, write a script for it now. Adjust your processes: for example, if communication to artists was slow, maybe set up a faster hotline or group chat for artists to get official info in crises. Then, next season, include these updates in your staff training. By continuously improving, you turn a crisis experience into a future strength.

• Share Your Story (with Permission): If the crisis was public and you handled it well, don’t shy away from telling that story in a thoughtful way. Festivals build loyalty through authenticity – a blog post or press release about “how we navigated the big storm” that thanks attendees and sponsors, highlights crew heroics, etc., can actually boost your festival’s reputation. It shows you’re transparent and care about your community. On the flip side, if you faced criticism for how something was handled, own up to it and explain how you’re making changes. For example, Festival XYZ might say, “We heard your feedback about the long communication delays during the power outage. We apologize for that frustration. We are implementing an improved emergency text alert system and more frequent announcements on-site going forward.” Being accountable and proactive in this way turns a negative into an opportunity to demonstrate growth.

Key Takeaways for Compassionate Crisis Communications

• Have a Plan in Place: Don’t wing it. Create a crisis communication plan well before your festival begins. Draft scripts for various emergencies and decide who forms your “updates desk” team that controls official info. Preparation = confidence when chaos hits.

• Act Fast & Use Every Channel: The moment a crisis arises, communicate early and widely. Use all available channels in sync – festival app push alerts, text messages, social media, PA announcements, LED screens, on-site staff – to make sure every attendee gets the message. A unified, speedy response keeps people safe and reduces confusion.

• Be Clear, Honest, and Compassionate: In your messaging, get to the point about what’s happening and why, but do so with empathy. Explain decisions (especially tough ones like cancellations) plainly, in human terms. Show that you care about the audience’s experience and safety – because you genuinely do. Avoid corporate-speak or vague excuses; instead, talk to your attendees as valued community members.

• Guide People on What to Do: Don’t just announce a problem – always include what actions attendees should take and what will happen next. Whether it’s “seek shelter now and we’ll update you in 15 minutes” or “head to the exits and check your email for refund options,” giving clear next steps helps maintain order and trust.

• Follow Through with Goodwill Gestures: If your audience’s festival experience was cut short or marred by a crisis, quickly offer make-good options (refunds, discounts, future perks). This goodwill can turn disappointment into loyalty. People remember how you made them feel – turning a bad situation into one where they still feel valued is key.

• Learn and Improve: After the festival, review what happened. Document lessons learned with your team and update your plans. Every crisis, big or small, is a chance to improve your festival’s safety and communication for next time. Showing that you learn from challenges will also earn you respect from fans, staff, and sponsors alike.

By approaching crisis communications with compassion and competence, folk festival producers (and indeed any event organizers) can protect their attendees and their event’s reputation when things go wrong. It’s about combining heart and level-headed strategy: care for your people, communicate clearly, and always be prepared to do better. In the close-knit world of festivals – especially folk festivals that often feel like family – handling crises the right way reinforces the bond between the event and its community. And that bond is what keeps the music playing year after year, rain or shine.